Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1887-01-21
the outskirts Of the town, Dr., Varney

DO you know Kate Howard, Laura 2
Il know who she is. A cat may lool
at the queen, yor know, Her fathe,
owns the iron mills, and they live in the
beautiful house we just passed" 4
What do you think Of herr"
1 think she is one tho most beauti.
full ladies I have ever seen, and I i'm
agine, one Of the proudest. WHY do yo,,
ask ? You seem to be Interested In her. "
II am. The truth is, he said, look
ing straight ahead of him, and speaking
fast, the medical convention is not
the only business that brought me to
Kingston. I have thought seriously OF
asking Kate Howard to be my wife.
I met her last summer at Long Branch,
and again in the winter, and I do not
think she will say no..
There was = moments silence as
the girl struggled with the sudden
feeling of pain and desolation that
that came over her, and strove to say
the kindly commonplace words that
were expected Of her.
And then he went on:
''It may seem odd that I should tell
you this, Laura, even before I have
spoken to her, but we have been almost
brother and sister, and would like to
have God-speed from you before make
tho plunge"
"You have it, Frank" she said brave
~. MAY you win the woman you love
and every good gift that life can give p
But the delicate beautiful face was
very white, when he lifted her down at
the door of the station, and her eyes
did not meet his when she babe him
goodbye. And in Dr. Varneys heart,
as he drove away, there was curious
dissatisfied feeling that he could neither
analyze nor accoun. for.
1t was not quite dissipated when he
sat that evening on the pleasant piazza
Of Mr.. Towards house, with the scent.
ed breath of acacia and rose coming up
from the garden, and Kate, looking very
beautiful in her cool white muslin by
his side. And his thoughts would wan
der to little figure in simple bingham
dress, and delicate pale face set in a
frame of soft brown hair.
Skate" he said at length, shave you
ever noticed the little girl in the tele-
graph Office down at the station ?"
"What q question !" said Miss How
ard, arching her brows in some sur
prise. "Of course I know there is a
young person employed there in that
capacity, equally Of course, that is all
know about her"
But DR.. Varney, honest fellow, never
knew when he was snubbed, and blum
dered on:
II discovered in her yesterday the
Oldest friend have. They lived close
to us until few years ago, and Laura
and I were almost brother and sister.
/ had quite lost sight of her until 7 met
her yesterday.
''That is very nice, but I don't see
how it concerns me" said Miss Howard
coldly.
"She is quite alone in the world,
Kate, and thought if you would call
upon her and be friendly with her it
would make her life so much moro
pleasant"
Il call upon that girl? You must be
dreaming, doctor?"
"Why not? She is true lady, and
it would be an act OF charity, Kate"
perhaps your standard of what con-
stitutes a lady differ" was the naughty
response. "At all events have no de-
sire to add to the list of my acquain-
tances at present, and so must decline
the honor you propose to do me?"
After cold goodnight DR.. Varney
took his leave, feeling hurt and angry,
and resolved that he would take more
time to consider it before he spoke the
words he had come to Kingston express
ly to speak.
Nor did the note he received from
Miss Howard the following morning
half playfully, half apologetic-alter his
decision. He would go home and think
it out among his patients. It was not a
question to be decided lightly.
And then he strolled down to the sta
ton, and over to Laura's little den.
She was busy, and did not look up
for moment, and he had time to note
how white she was, and there were dark
circles under the pretty blue eyes, that
told Of sleepless night.
She looked up with smile of well
come, but did not invite him in.
He waited for no invitation, how
ever, but went inside the railing, and
with the light of new resolution on
his face, bent over her.
"What have you been doing to your
self, little girl ?" he said very tenderly.
Il am afraid my prescription was not a
good one. Shall T give you new one :?
or have you lost faith in my treatment ?"
''You had better get Miss Towards
consent to your plan of treatment. 1t
is just possible she might object to it, F"
replied Laura, with forced laugh.
"Miss Howard has nothing to do with
it, Laura. Shall 1 tell you what the
new prescription is? 1t is to 20 back
to the old home with me-to the dear
old mother who always loved you, and
will give you gladder welcome than
she could give to any one else--to go as
my wife. Will you come, dear?"
She looked up with startled OK
preston, which changed 70 one as
naughty as Miss Howard's own.
''Kate Howard has rejected you, and
you, come to me in pique" she said
with q choke il her voice.
Laura, have l. ever given you cause
to think so badly of me? Miss Howard
did not reject me for she has not had
the opportunity. I never really
cared for anyone but you, though you
may find it hard to believe after my fol-
y yesterday. was attracted by Kate
Towards beauty. but I never loved her !:
and finding you here, has saved me
from great mistake"
He would have said more, but her
''call' was sounding on the instrument
and customer wss pounding frantically
20 attract her attention.
you shall take one day to think
about it, and I will be waiting for my
answer when you close the Office this
evening"" he said at parting.
But the glance from the long-1ashed